Drier



Au-g. 3 1926,

c. c. KENYoN Filed May 25. 192s 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 (7a a res w wwwMHWHW Aug. 3,1926. 1,594,839n- C. C. KENYQN DMER A Filed May 25, 192s v5 sheds-sheet 4 Aug. 3 ,'19'26.

' C. C. KENYON DRIER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 25 1925 Patented Aug. 3, 1926.

narran STATES aa'rsm oFFllcE.

. CHARLES G. KENYON, OF SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY.

DRIEE..

Application led May 25, 1928. Serial No. 641,410.

fabrics and to apparatus useful in performing such process.

Under-modem manufacturing methods it is usual, and from practical considerations, substantially necessary, to dry the iinished fabric by the use of articial heat. In order to insure dryingso as to avoid any possibility of mildew during storage, the cloth is usually subjected to so high a degree of heat and for so prolonged a. period that every vestige of moisture is driven out, leaving it bone dry. In this unnatural state the fibers are rendered harsh to the touch and are very greedy for moisture and readily absorb it from the atmosphere when exposed. It is customary, however. after drying. to fold and pile the cloth so thatv only its edges and the top and bottom layers are exposed to the air. -If left in this :condition for any length of time, the top layers and exposed edges absorb atmospheric moisture which travels irregularly inward to varying distances, but usually not to thecentral parts of the fabric.- A l Many of the dye-stu's employed in the .coloring of cloth vary-in tint under the' ac-V tion of moisture in the fibers. and when the edge and top portions onlv of the cloth contain the normal or natural amount of moisture. these edge and top portions exhibit a different shade from the central parts of the width' or end of material. This diil'erent coloration once established remains substantially unchanged during the life of thefabric and while in many cases this difference of color is slight, it is nevertheless suicient to detract from the commercial value of the goods. -The principal object of the present invention is accordingly to provide an improved process of drying and conditioning textile fabric. together with apparatus useful in performing the process, by the employment of which discoloration and harshness of the fabric due to the-overheating and unequal absorgtion of moisture is substantially prevente Briefly stated the invention consists in' ducing the material to a substantially bone dry or nearly bone dry condition, and thereafter passing coot air having a predetermined moisture content over the cloth while continuing the stretching action, after which the cloth is folded and piled in usual manner. y In the accompanying drawings, a preferred form of apparatus suitable for practicing the improved process is illustrated by way of example and in such drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section and partly broken away, showing the present invention as devised for application to atentering or stretching machine of well known type;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, partly in section on the line 3-3 of' Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation from the right -hand' side of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line i 5 5v of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a vertical section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. f

In accordance'with the present invention a casing or housing 1 is provided for en-.

closing all or a portion of the stretching machine, indicated `generally 'by the nu-v meral 2. This casing or housing is preferably constructed of some heat insulating material such for example as asbestos, wood or the like.

The stretching` machine herein disclosed is of a type commonly employed vin the cloth finishing ,trade and comprises series of shafts 3, 4 respectively. provided with sprocket wheels 5, 6 about which two endless chains 7, 8 are trained. These chains are parallel with each other and in passing over the several sprocket wheels 5, 6 provide a plurality of substantially parallel runs disposed one above the other. The chains are furnished with cloth engaging hooks 9 which hook into the marginal portions of the length of cloth to be treated and which hold it in stretched condition during the process. l

As herein disclosed the housing or casing encloses only that portion of the stretching machine which supports the shafts 3 and 4,

la.y

.passover guiding sprocket wheels such as 13. The means ot shown) for attaching the clothto the chains and disengaging it therefrom are also located outside the housing.

A vertical partition of the stretching machine, thus setting oi a plenum chamber 15 which communicates with the main portion of the drying cham'- ber by means of windows or passages 16 through the partition 14.

A baille plate 17 projects from the side wall 18 of the housing horizontally toward the opposite side wall thereof leaving a space 19 at its end for the passage of air. This baie plate also forms the bottom of the chamber 15. Below the plate 17 a second baille plate 20 is arranged which extends horizontally from the wall 21 of the housing toward the opposite side leaving a space 22 at its end for the passage of air. Below the bame plate 2O a third plate 23 is arranged which projects from the wall 18 toward the opposite side of \t-he casing leaving a space 24 at its ,end for the passage'of air. The air from the space below the baille 23 is free to entera receiving chamber. 24 at one side of the housing.

This chamber has downwardly converging bottom walls 24", 24 respectively.

A fan `25 is disposed outside the casing and communicates with the lower part of.

the receiving chamber by means .of a conduit 26. This fan delivers into a heating chamber 27 outside' the casing provided with heating coils 28 connected to a header 29. The latter is supplied withy steam or other heating niediumthrough a. pipe' 30 from any suit-able source.

-The heating with an uptake conduit 31` delivering throu h an opening 32 into the chamber 15. If es'ired an exhaust flue 33 may be arranged to open into the drying chamber at a suita'ble point in the side wall 21 of the latter,

and this iiue is furnishedwith a damper 34 by which the flow of air may be controlled. Preferably a fresh air conduit 35 leads from any suitable point to the intake 26 of the fan casing 25, and this conduit is furnished with a controlling damper 36.`

The bottom of the drying chamber proper consists of the floor members 37 and 38 14 extends longitudinally of the casing at one side of the frame,

chamber 27 communicates ing chamber,'its sides bein defined by t e walls 46 and 47 respective y.

At the left hand end of the housing, as viewed in Fig. 1, a compartment 48 is provided which communicates with the conditioning chamber by' means of slots 49, formed in the end wa'll member 10. This compartment 48 also .communicates by means of a conduit 50 with an air moisten- -ing chamber 51 supplied with any suitable air moistening apparatlis, such for exam ple as spray nozzles. The air moistening chamber 51 is connected by means of a pipe 52 with the delivery end of a fan 53. This fan is provided 'with an intake conduit 54 controlled by a damper 55.

At the opposite end of the housing a compartment 56 is provided which communicates with the conditioning chamber 43.

This compartment 56 leads to the lower end y of an air discharge flue 57.

The operation of the device is substantially as follows it being understood that a length of cloth has been' secured to the chains 7, 8 so as to 'be stretched between them and the chains have been set into motion. l

The end of the web of cloth enters the drying chamber through the opening 11 and as it moves with the upper two runs of the chain it is subjected to the action of the transversely directed blasts of heated air entering above the'bale plate 17 through the openings 16. After traversing the length of the casing and back the cloth then passes about the upper sprocket wheel 6, and then in horizonta runs between the baille plates 17 and 20. The air also circulates between these plates thus further drying the fabric. Likewise as the fabric traverses the s ace between the plates 20 and 23 it is sub]ected to the action of the heated a1r. v

The air'travels in the path indicated by the plain arrows in the drawings being impelled by the fan 25. It first moves through the heater 27 where itis heated, then up through the plenum chamber and out into the drying chamber; passes .successively over the baille plates in a zigzag course,

and is then dimha'rged froml the lower part of the casing into the fan intake. The same air may thus be continuously 'circulated, greatly economizing in the use of heat and enabling the cloth to be dried in a much 35,' coloration of the cloth occu of Asuch air is a known quantity,

more uniform manner-than case. B manipulating the dampers 34 and 36 anyd'esired admixture of fresh alr w1th the circulating air may be obtained.

The degree of heat employed is preferably so calculated that as the cloth emerges from the drying chamber through the opening 40 it is in a substantially bone dry condition, or nearly so. That 1s to say, at this point, the moisture content of the cloth is substantially negligible.

As the cloth passes through the conditioning chamber 43 it is subjected to the action of the cool and moist air entering through the slots 49. 'This air is first drawn in by ,the fan 53 through the mtake 54, and in passing through the chamber 51 is moistened to any. desired degree.` After passing through the conditioning c amber the air is discharged up -the flue 57.

The air may be moistened'to the point of saturation if desired, so that it readily gives up moisture when brought into contact with the dry fabric. As the moisture content of such air may be accurately determined by manipulation of thel damper 55 and of the spray device, and as the period during which the cloth is Asubjected to the. action it is posthe cloth desired degree, and as the cloth is ed during the application of moissible very accurately to'moisten to ang stretc ture, the absorption of moisture fis substantially uniform so that no noticeable disbe While the Fapparatus herein disclosed is particularly well adapted for carrying out the process, its broader aspects the process is not dependent upon,4 the particular apparatus which'may .be employed butis capable 4of performance in other ways provided the determinate vquantity of moisture can beimparted to the. cloth after drying and while the clothis transversely. stretched.. V Iclai'm: 1 Alpparatus fortreting fabric comprising a, rying chamber having heat insulated walls substantially horizontal baiiles in the cham y r defining-a circuitous' ath for air,

4a plenum chamber communicating with the be ,upper movlng means arranged to withdraw airl part vof the drying chamber-,and air from the lower part of the drying chamber and deliver it into the plenum chamber.

2. Apparatus lfor treatingfabric compris- 'ing a heat linsulated housing, partitions within the vhousing' setting oil a plenum chamber and a drying chamber, said chambers communicating-with plurality` of horizontally disposed bailles inv the drying chamber, and a fanoutside the 4housing constructed and arranged to withdraw air from below the lowermost baiile and deliverit into the plenum chamber.

is usually the 4vto draw air from the it is to be understood that inl heater and drying one another, a-

2?.l Ap aratus for treating fabric comprising a eat insulated housin partitions within the housing setting o a plenum chamber at the top and housing, .Saidmhamber having openings in its wall, horizontally disposed bellies in the housing defining a circuitous path for air, air heating means, and a fan arranged lower part of the housing and to force it over the heating means and into the plenum chamber. 4. 4Apparatus for treating fabric compris'- ing a housing, and a floor in the housing setting olf a drying chamber and a conditioning chamber, said floor comprisin portions arranged in different planes an connected by an apertured wall.

5. Apparatus for treating fabric comprising a housing having a flopr consisting of to one side of the A two parts lying in different horizontal fabric comprislng a houslng,

a ioor dividing the housing into a drying chamber and a conditioning chamber, said Hoor having an o ning for the passage of the fabric, means or guiding a run of fabric Ato pass through said opening from the drying to the ,conditioning chamber, and means for drying the fabric in the drying chamber and for supplying it .with moisturein the conditioning chamr. `7. 'Apparatus for treating fabric comprising a housing divided into a drying and conditioning chamber,

means for holding fabric in stretched condition in both chambers, and means for causing warm air to How from top to bottom of the drying chamber and for causing cool moist air to move substantially horizontally in the conditionlng chamber.

8. Apparatusf for-treating fabric comprising a housing having a` drying chamber and a conditioning chamber, means for supporting fabric in stretched conditionin the, latter chamber, an air moistening device, and means for forcing air through the moistening device and -into the conditioning chamr. 9. Apparatus for treating ing a heat insulated housing divided into a drying'chamber and a conditioning chamber, an air heater, an air moistener, means fabric compris-'- nov for continuously circulating air through the chamber, and means for moving air through the moistener into the conditioning chamber.

l0. Apparatus for treating material comprising a heat insulated housing divided into a drying chamber and a conditioning chamber, means .for moving the material tov be treated successively through the respective chambers,

means for heating air, means.

movin y ing its during its passage through the conditionmg chamber.

12. Apparatus for treating material comprising a housing divided by a iioor into an upper drying chamber and a lower conditioning chamber, means for movingl the materia o be treated in horizontal runs successively through said chambers, the floor having an opening for its passage from one to' the other, an air heater, an air moistener, and means for causing air to flow from the heater and moistener respectively into the drying and conditioning chambers.

13'. Apparatus for treating material comprising a housing having' means therein for moving the material in a predetermined path from the up r to the lower part of the housing, air eating and moistening means, and fans for moving air from the heating and moistening means into the upper and lower parts of the housing respectively.

14. comprising a housing, means for holding the fabric in stretched condition while moving itl downwardly through said housing, and means for blowing warm air and cool moist air into the upper and lower parts ofthe housing respectlvely.

15. Apparatus for treating textile fabric comprising a housing, means for stretching the fabric `to be treated while moving it continuously from the upper to the lower part of the housing, means for delivering warm air into the upper part of the` housing, means for delivering moist air into the lower part of the housing, and controllable means permitting air to be'discharged from the'upper part of the hous- 16. Apparatus fortreating textile fabric comprising a housing divided into upper and lower chambers, means for moving the fabric in substantially horizontal runs successively through the respective chambers while holdinal it in stretched condition, means for delivering warm air in a plurality of streams into the upper part of the upper chamber, said streams being directed Apparatus fortreating textile fabric' transverselyof the width of the fabric, and y means for withdrawing air from-the lower part of the upper chamber.

17. Apparatus of the dass described com# prisin a housing having a plenum chamber exten 'ng along one side 'thereof near its top, said chamber communicating with the interior of the housing by means of a series of Windows in its side wall, and fabric stretching means within the housing arranged to move the material to be dried inA a path extending substantially parallel to the length of the plenum chamber.

18. Apparatus of the class described com-l prising a housing having heat insulatedprising an ,elongated housing having` walls,

a heat insulated floor dividing the housing into upper and lower chambers, means lfor blowing streams of warm air transversely across the up r chamber near its top and for withdrawing air from the lower part of said chamber, inlet and outlet openings in the .end walls respectively of the lower chamber, and means for delivering. moist air through said inlet openings.

20. Apparatus lof the class described comprising a housing divided into upper and lower chambers, the bottom of the latter chamber comprising downwardly converging' walls, said walls having openings therein, a compartment exterior to each of said walls, means for supplying moist air to one of said compartments for entrance to the lower chamber through the openings in ,the adjacent wall, and a discharge flue communicating with the other compartment.

21. Apparatus of the class described comprising a housing having means therein f or moving material in a zig-zagl path comprising a plurality of vertically spaced runs, means for delivering blasts of warm am transversely across the, upper run of fabric,

and means 'for directing such ir in a vzigzag course transversely across the lower egress opening for the delivery of air near the lower part of the housing.

23. Apparatus of the elass described comprising an elongated housing having an opening in its end Wall for the admission of a Web of fabric, means Within the housing for moving the entering fabric in a zig-zag path comprising vertically spaced, substantially horizontal runs extending l0 longitudinally of the housing, means for delivering blasts of warm air transversely across the upper runof fabric and a plurality lof vertically spaced baiie plates extendlng alternately from opposite side walls of the housing and between runs of the fabric whereby to provide a zig-zag course for the air.

lSigned by me at Somerville this twenty-third day of Ma 1923. v

S. C. KENYON. 

